Dear John,
*SECRET
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
12 October 1983
Hong Kong
With my letter of 11 October I enclosed a telegram about proposed measures to stabilise the Hong Kong dollar. The Governor has now told us by telephone that he had a difficult but inconclusive meeting with EXCO this morning. A further meeting will be held first thing tomorrow morning. It is quite likely that the outcome will be that he will not obtain either full endorsement or outright opposition but that a majority of members will record that they do not wish to advise against the Governor implementing the measures if he judges it right.
The Governor has asked for an indication of Ministers' views on the contingency either of opposition or of grudging assent from EXCO. We shall need to send instructions tonight. The Foreign Secretary, who is on his way back from Athens, has not yet considered the latest position but, to save time, I enclose a telegram drafted by officials which might form the basis of a reply.
A. J. Coles Esq
10 Downing Street
You eve
Homes
(J E Holmes)
Private Secretary
SECRET